My husband and I recently purchased this century home and the exterior needs a refresh. The windows on the front need to be replaced and the trim, shutters and front door need a fresh coat of paint. I was assuming I'd stick with the current soft cream on windows and trim, but then I realized that the back of the house has new WHITE windows and trim.. So I am torn about what to do.

To me, the white looks harsh against the brown brick and warm salmon-toned mortar. The brick is actually darker in person than it appears in the photos.

Even though I don't love the stark white in the back, for continuity should I bring it around on the front windows and trim as well?

Is it possible the stark white could work better with the brick if I were to paint some elements (shutters, doors, cedar shakes on the third floor balcony) black?

Or should I just ignore the whiteness out back and. on the front facade, go with my original plan of having soft cream windows and trim on the front windows even though it's different than the back of the house.

We are also considering removing the ivy from the garage (lovely in summer, unsightly every other season) and painting the siding or adding some more structure/roof to the garage.

We feel so fortunate to have this beautiful old home in our care that we want to do what's best for it. Houzz members have helped me so much in the past, I look forward to your input.